MIAMI – Linebacker Philip Wheeler has signed a $26 million, five-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.

The deal includes a $7 million signing bonus and $13 million guaranteed.

Wheeler spent his first four NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and played last year for the Oakland Raiders, where he had career highs of 109 tackles and three sacks.

Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe will give the Dolphins a new tandem at linebacker, making veterans Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett expendable. Ellerbe, who helped Baltimore win the Super Bowl, signed a $35 million, five-year deal Monday.

The Dolphins are still estimated to have more than $20 million in salary cap space. They're in the market for help at cornerback, tackle, tight end, running back and receiver.